The Westward Ho Motel, built in 1948, includes a saguaro cactus on its
neon sign. Brite Lite Neon (Albuquerque) handled the neon glass and
electrical work and restored the sign in 2002. To supplement their
financial match for the project, the motel owners refinished and
repainted the sign themselves.

Route 66 is brightly lit through New Mexico, thanks to the efforts of
the Route 66 Neon Restoration Project. Managed by the New Mexico Route
66 Association, partnering with the New Mexico Historic Preservation
Division and the National Park Service Route 66 Corridor Preservation
Office, more than ten signs have been restored to date.

From the wonderful TeePee Curio Shop in Tucumcari to the wild and
crazy neon Rotosphere in Moriarty, the beauty and artistry of classic
neon is once again dazzling and delighting Route 66 enthusiasts
throughout New Mexico.

After World War II, companies believed advertising with neon signs
helped their businesses. Before long streets were lined with a palette
of sapphire blue, ruby red, sizzling orange and emerald greens,
promising all manner of adventure, home cookin’ and other travel
services.

Those were the good ole’ days. But over the years, one by one, these
once glorious signs began to blink into darkness, leaving little more
than a peeling façade, where once brilliant colors harkened.

When the project began, applications were accepted for the restoration
projects. Though businesses owners were at first skeptical that there
could be a government program that was intended to directly help mom
and pop businesses, many of them were pleasantly surprised when their
applications were approved.

Over the next couple of years, the Route 66 Association got to work,
restoring ten vintage neon signs that has resulted in business owners,
as well as entire communities, renewing their pride in their Mother
Road heritage. Today, Route 66 travelers are thrilled by the evening
ride through these New Mexico cities with their flashing, spinning,
rotating, and whirling neon.

The signs that have been restored are listed below, along with the
dates they were built.